The awards, which this year are held in association with Silversea, feature six categories for agents, including a new one designed to give more exposure for cruise agencies.
Meanwhile, the Luxury Travel Designer of the Year category saw entries flood in, as many agents told their stories of survival, shared how they had continued to go above and beyond for clients and managed to win new business as a result of their dedication.
Given the struggles across the sector, it was encouraging to see several new entrants to the world of luxury travel design, with Sarah Bentall, Studio Wanderwell (Cartology Travel); Ben Eddon-Carruthers, Huben Travel; Carla Hutchings, Swords Travel; Aine McKenna, More Life VIP; Samantha Norris, The Travel Directors; and Alicia Sharpe, Luxeco Holidays, all shortlisted in the New Luxury Travel Designer of the Year category.
Suppliers across the luxury sector were also able to enter into six categories, covering air, cruise, hotels and tour operator, with many impressive entries received. Another new category was also introduced for the first time, Sustainability Hero of the Year, garnering a huge response.
“I am especially pleased by the strong response we had to this new category, as so many businesses continue to elevate this important pillar and put it at the heart of what they do, finding new solutions to operate in a way that respects their physical environment and people they work with and among,” said April Hutchinson, editor of TTG Luxury.
Those shortlisted in the Sustainability Hero of the Year category are Eleni Andreadis, director of sustainability and CSR, Sani Resort; Samuel Dixon, marine biologist and sustainability manager, Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi; Dr Andrea Ferry, group sustainability co-ordinator, Singita; Gloria Fluxa, vice-chairman and chief sustainability officer, Iberostar Group; Beverly Joubert, co-founder, Great Plains; Harsha L’Acqua, founder, Saira Hospitality; Nico Nicholas, chief eco officer, Trees4Travel; and Thomas Power, co-founder and CEO, Pura Aventura.
Click here to view the shortlist in full.
More than 150 companies entered into the process, all of whom had to complete a detailed submission.
This gave all companies the chance to really tell their stories of resilience, adaptability and innovation, making changes to their business that would see them emerge from the worst crisis ever to hit the industry.
“Of course we would have loved to see all companies make it through to the shortlist, and they all deserve utmost praise after an immensely challenging time,” added Hutchinson. “But these shortlisted companies and individuals showed us how much further they had gone to support their clients, colleagues, others in the industry and communities.”
The final phase of judging will now commence, as senior leaders from across the travel industry cast their gaze across all entries to decide the ultimate winners. For every supplier category, there will be at least two agents on those judging panels, to ensure trade feedback is taken into account.
The winners will be revealed at the TTG Luxury Travel Awards ceremony on Friday 4 March, and tickets are now on sale for this popular event.
All those shortlisted in the agent categories receive a complimentary ticket to attend the event. Other agent tickets are available for £125 (+VAT) and supplier tickets are £249 (+VAT).
This will be the fourth outing for the TTG Luxury Travel Awards, a glittering afternoon event to be held at Rosewood London, partner venue and home to the awards since their launch in 2018.
The winners ceremony takes place over an afternoon that also includes a vibrant pre-event networking drinks reception, two-course lunch, and a post-event reception, with celebratory cocktails from Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.
